On Tuesday afternoon, 17-year old high school studentRiley Moscatel ended his life in Bucks County. The rising senior at Bucks County Technical High School placed himself in front of an Amtrak train heading for New York City at approximately 1:30pm this afternoon.

Riley’s mother, Kristine Moscatel, said in the Bucks County Courier Times that “things were just building up and building up and she just couldn’t take it anymore. She hid behind her mask. She had a mask for me, my husband, my son, my parents…everyone she had a different face for, but they were all happy (faces).” Riley was referred to as a “rising star” in the commercial and advertising arts program at Bucks County Technical High School by school officials in the article.

Both theLevittownNowandBucks County Courier Timesmisgendered Riley in their reports. LevittownNow updated their online post to reflect his correct pronouns. The current headline by the Bucks County Courier Times and the Intelligencer is “Mom ‘heartbroken’ over daughter’s suicide by train.“

No one is alone in experiencing depression, anxiety, or distress. If you or any LGBT youth you know ever need someone to talk with, we encourage you to call the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386.

(Contributed by Kristine Moscatel/Bucks County Courier Times)

In Pennsylvania, there are no school district or state policies which specifically affirm transgender students. PSEC is currently working to advance local and state policies to provide comprehensive support for transgender students in public schools.

Riley’s friends and family will release balloons at the Croydon Train Station in his memory this coming Sunday afternoon.

Share this:

Jason Landau GoodmanJason Landau Goodman is a law student at the University of Pittsburgh, and the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Youth Congress. A recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Jason is a fifth generation Pennsylvanian from Lower Merion, PA.

THE KEYSTONE STUDENT VOICE

Opinion pieces by PYC leaders are personal perspectives on issues and do not reflect official statements by the organization. As based in a non-profit organization, the KSV is a non-partisan news source and none of our posts shall be used to promote or harm - or encourage people to vote or not vote for - any particular candidate or political party for public office.